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lalalindlein's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
itsmetaphysical's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe I’m too much like Liz but when everyone turns on her I can’t seem to get that? Like it’s not her fault? Back off? She’s a better person than me because I would have been so over it (my emotional unavailability laughs)
Also this is described as a steamy book but the steam was very minimal!!!!
Also this is described as a steamy book but the steam was very minimal!!!!
amandabw425's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tawnath0r's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A cute queer romcom
fearlys97's review against another edition
5.0
I really wish this book was longer. I hope there are more after this too. I’m way too invested in Daria and Liz to not read more about them, especially after than ending! As a non-binary person, I’d love to see Liz explore her gender identity more since she struggles with it so much in the book. I also want to know if she gets the fellowship and what happens with her blog. It could be fun for a book from Daria’s perspective in the future.
cinderrunner's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
As a queer woman and a huge Pride & Prejudice fan, I wanted to adore this book. But I spent most of it just being annoyed. The queer representation was VERY heavy handed in a way that felt less organic (in a "hey, look at this great book that just so happens to feature queer characters living their lives during the plot") and much more pandering. It is the first time I (as a white person) have understood on a personal level the frustration and annoyance POC readers express when they say they are sick of books about people like them never just being simple and normal and always having to be about their difficulties. Like therr are CONSTANT corny and heavy handed queer references (like every single room in the magazine the characters work at being named for queer icons like Laverne Cox and Hayley Kiyoko or someone wearing a Tegan and Sarah shirt which didnt need to be mentioned since it had nothing to do with the plot). And of course one of Liz and Daria's first moments of connection happens after some frat bro is homophobic toward them. Elizabeth Bennett is one of my all time favorite fictional characters. She does tend to be very short sighted and rash, which Liz in this book does reflect. But the parts most readers love most of Elizabeth (like her boldness, upsides of her stubbornness, embracing of being different and herself) are nowhere to be seen in Liz. Honestly, Liz was only reflective of Elizabeth in her bad traits and was Elizabeth's polar opposite in her good traits. Liz in this book is SOOOO insecure it was difficult to read at times. I will acknowledge that I have never struggled with my gender identity or presentation and have no way to relate to Liz's struggles in that regard. But I can empathize and enjoy reading about those struggles... when im not being reminded of it every few chapters. Seriously, it felt like I couldn't get a single chapter in without at least 2-3 paragraphs of Liz being insecure in how Masc or Fem she was. Or her complaining about her love life and being annoyingly desperate for love (very NOT Elizabeth of her). Or being insecure over her skills as a writer. I was tempted to DNF this book like 1/3 of the way through because of how whiney and weak Liz is. She has no backbone and I can't take her seriously as a love interest in a romance novel when I can't fathom how anyone could deal with her BS. Most of the plot revolves around how uselessly insecure Liz is. The middle of the book once the drama picked up was actually pretty good and I started enjoying it again since it wasn't as heavy handed. But then the author ruined it in the last 3 pages by making Liz, once again, do the weirdest and most cringey crap! It took me completely out of what should have been the big coming together romantic moment. This book is such a let down to P&P fans and queer romance fans. There are FAR better LGBT+ romances out there. And I know there are other queer Pride and Prejudice retellings too.
milesandmiles's review against another edition
Tldr: I think the marketing for this book missed the mark. It's not a romcom, it's a quarter life coming of age story with drama to the max.
The summary sells the book as an enemies to lovers, queer Pride and Prejudice retelling romcom, but it does the book a huge disservice. The book is at it's best when it's focused on a coming of age story wrestling with identity, making mistakes, and having to become more mature. The rest just wasn't enjoyable for me.
It really didn't feel like a romance, certainly not a believable relationship. 50%+ of the way through the book the characters still didn't have a relationship and the love interest is still portrayed as an asshole. It often felt over the top and forced. Like really? The banker with the spreadsheets is going to insult the writing that brings in half of their traffic? The business might not be profitable, but Liz's writing totally is. I rolled my eyes when that happened without any further explanation.
I found very little romance and even less comedy for something sold as a romcom. The romantic relationships made me wince, which is fine for a book where messiness and growth are the focus, but miserable for a romance.
The summary sells the book as an enemies to lovers, queer Pride and Prejudice retelling romcom, but it does the book a huge disservice. The book is at it's best when it's focused on a coming of age story wrestling with identity, making mistakes, and having to become more mature. The rest just wasn't enjoyable for me.
It really didn't feel like a romance, certainly not a believable relationship. 50%+ of the way through the book the characters still didn't have a relationship and the love interest is still portrayed as an asshole. It often felt over the top and forced. Like really? The banker with the spreadsheets is going to insult the writing that brings in half of their traffic? The business might not be profitable, but Liz's writing totally is. I rolled my eyes when that happened without any further explanation.
I found very little romance and even less comedy for something sold as a romcom. The romantic relationships made me wince, which is fine for a book where messiness and growth are the focus, but miserable for a romance.